Compare taxes and see how much you save moving from New York to Tennessee
Nashville has become the #1 migration destination for New Yorkers seeking tax relief. NYC residents face 12.7% combined income tax (10.9% state + 3.876% city), while Tennessee charges 0% (Hall Tax eliminated 2021). At $100,000 NYC income: save $9,500/year in Tennessee. The trade-off: Tennessee has the highest combined sales tax in America (9.55%). Nashville offers Southern charm, music industry jobs, and a fraction of NYC's cost of living.
High Tax State
Progressive + NYC tax
No Income Tax
Hall Tax eliminated 2021
At $100,000 income:
That is $792/month back in your pocket!
| Income | NY Tax | TN Tax | Savings | 10-Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $2,850 (NY state only) | $0 | TN saves $2,850 | $28,500 |
| $75,000 | $4,600 (NY state only) | $0 | TN saves $4,600 | $46,000 |
| $100,000 (NYC) | $9,500 (state + city) | $0 | TN saves $9,500 | $95,000 |
| $150,000 (NYC) | $14,300 (state + city) | $0 | TN saves $14,300 | $143,000 |
| $200,000 (NYC) | $19,500 (state + city) | $0 | TN saves $19,500 | $195,000 |
| $300,000 (NYC) | $32,000 (state + city) | $0 | TN saves $32,000 | $320,000 |
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Moving from New York to Tennessee? Multi-state returns are tricky—partial-year residency, different deadlines, avoiding double taxation. Get matched with a CPA who specializes in state moves. Virtual meetings, fixed pricing.
Get Matched With a CPA →At $100,000 NYC income: save $9,500/year (10.9% state + 3.876% city tax eliminated). Over 10 years: $95,000. Tennessee's higher sales tax (9.55% vs NYC 8.875%) costs ~$300 more annually for average spenders. Net savings: roughly $9,200/year. Housing savings are even larger—Nashville rent is 50-60% less than Manhattan for equivalent space.
Yes—AllianceBernstein relocated its HQ from NYC to Nashville in 2021, bringing 1,000+ finance jobs. Other firms have followed. Nashville's finance scene is smaller than NYC but growing rapidly. Many NYC finance workers keep their NYC jobs (remote) while living in Nashville, capturing both the salary premium and zero income tax. This is the optimal strategy for maximizing savings.
Nashville is the country music capital, while NYC dominates pop/hip-hop/jazz. If you work in country, Christian, or singer-songwriter genres, Nashville is superior. The city has more studios per capita than anywhere else. However, NYC's music industry is more diverse. Many musicians split time between both cities—living in Nashville (no tax) and working gigs in NYC.
Significantly. Upstate NY (Albany, Buffalo, Syracuse) has no city income tax—only the state's 6.85%-10.9% rates apply. A $100,000 upstate earner pays ~$6,500 vs ~$9,500 in NYC. The Tennessee advantage shrinks from $9,500 to $6,500. Upstate housing is also cheaper than NYC (and comparable to Nashville), so the overall financial case for moving to Nashville is weaker from upstate.
Yes—and this is the best strategy. If you work remotely from Tennessee for a NYC employer, you pay Tennessee taxes (0%), not New York taxes. Keep documentation proving you work from TN: home office, TN address, no regular commute to NYC. If you travel to NYC for work occasionally, those days may be taxed by NY. Consult a CPA specializing in remote work tax situations.